MXPA99007207A - Worldwide marketing logistics network including strategically located centers for frequency programming crystal oscillators to customer specification - Google Patents

Abstract

Una red de logística mundial incluye a un centro de procesamiento para recibirórdenes de cliente para osciladores de cristal sobre enlaces de comunicaciones, procesando lasórdenes y generandoórdenes de trabajo que son repartidas selectivamente sobre los enlaces de comunicaciones hacia los centros de programación que están en ubicaciones estratégicas alrededor del mundo. Cada uno de los centros de programación llevar un inventario de sido es de cristal programables genéricos. Hasta la recepción del orden de osciladores de cristal programables retira una cantidad de osciladores de cristal programables de su inventario, que sea suficiente para surtir la orden del cliente y, utilizando equipo de administración de partes automatizado, los osciladores son dirigidos sucesivamente hacia una posición de interfaz con una computadora. Ya aquí, la frecuencia de cristalúnica de cada oscilador es leída y cada oscilador es programado unitariamente en base a su frecuencia de cristal para generar una frecuencia de salida que cumpla con la especificación del cliente. Al terminar este paso de fabricación final, los osciladores de cristal programados son enviadoss a los clientes directamente desde los centros de programación.

Description

WORLDWIDE COMMERCIALIZATION LOGISTICS NETWORK INCLUDING SOME CENTERS LOCATED STRATEGICALLY TO PROGRAM THE FREQUENCY OF SOME GLASS OSCILLATORS TO THE SPECIFICATION OF A CUSTOMER Field of the Invention The present invention relates to oscillators > of glass and more particularly, to the commercialization of glass oscillators maintained in an inventory by their demand and programmed in their frequency to the specification of the client, as the final step of production in their manufacture.

Background of the Invention Oscillators are generalized components used for timing purposes in virtually all forms of hardware or electronic physical equipment ranging from timers to computers. Unfortunately, the timing frequencies of the oscillators vary widely depending on the application and the particular electronic physical equipment in which the oscillators will be implemented.

REF, 30921 The most common type of oscillator is the crystal oscillator and consequently, there is a great demand for these. Unfortunately, the crystals, which are the heart of any crystal oscillator, are difficult to manufacture and require long delivery times. In this process, as is traditionally practiced, a glass bar or ingot grows from a germ crystal. The glass bar is examined by means of X-rays to determine the correct cutting angle, mounted this angle on glass in a cutting artifact and then, being cut into glass plates. The platelets are then examined in X-rays to confirm the cutting angle. Next, the platelets are roughly coated to an appropriate thickness and then divided to remove the crystal germ. The platelets then suffer from a series of steps, including X-rays, group waxing, molding, dewaxing, intermediate coating, segmentation into individual glass pieces, thin coating, chemical pickling, sorting, coarse-based coating and multiple steps of Final bath, all designed to condition the crystals, so that they generate a frequency (resonant) source to the client's specification. This process can take weeks. Moreover, in an early manufacturing process, for example, before the intermediate coating but in some cases before splitting the ingots into platelets, it must be known which are the source frequencies that the crystal platelets must generate in the final product of the client . Accordingly, customers typically can not order custom crystal oscillators from the manufacturer's inventory, that is, crystal oscillators that generate custom frequencies instead of standard frequencies in their inventory. In the case of custom crystal oscillators, customer orders are typically made before the manufacturer begins manufacturing. If the manufacturer has an accumulation of customer orders, it is common that the delivery time of custom crystal oscillators from orders placed for delivery, be measured in months, to obtain shorter delivery times, customers will typically have to pay exorbitant prices . It is also very common that the customer's frequency specification changes or even that the need for a crystal oscillator disappears. If the manufacturing of the oscillators to fill an order has begun, the customer will typically be subject to cancellation charges, since glass plates and associated integrated circuits will most likely not be sold to future customers. Consequently, these components may, in fact, have to be reworked or simply filed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a logistics network with a very wide area, for example, worldwide, to promote crystal oscillators that suffer from the disadvantages and drawbacks of the traditional commercialization practices of crystal oscillators., more particularly in reducing delivery times to days, in contrast to weeks or months. To achieve this objective according to one aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing and distributing crystal oscillators is provided, in response to customer demand, comprising the steps of establishing centralized order processing centers.; establishing a plurality of oscillator programming centers in geographically diverse sites, linked to the processing center by means of a communication network; and manufacture a supply of generic programmable oscillators at a production site. - The generic programmable oscillators are then distributed, between the programming centers, to build and maintain an inventory of generic programmable oscillators in each of the programming centers, while the oscillator orders of the clients are accepted in the processing center. orders to process and to identify the specifications of each order of the customer already processed. The specifications of the client, including the number of oscillators and the frequency of output, and the date and destination of delivery, are communicated as work orders to selected programming centers, based on the ability to comply with the specifications of the order the client's. Each programming center, in response to receiving a work order, performs the steps of removing from the inventory a number of generic programmable oscillators, enough coyao to satisfy the number of oscillators specified in the received work order, to program each generic programmable oscillator for generate the output frequency specified by the received work order and send the programmed oscillators to the delivery destination specified by the received work order. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing crystal oscillators for various customer specifications, comprising the steps for producing a supply of programmable crystal oscillators that generate timing signals at frequencies that differ randomly; maintain an inventory of programmable crystal oscillators; and removing from the inventory, a plurality of programmable crystal oscillators sufficient to satisfy a number of crystal oscillators specified in a customer order. Each of the programmable crystal oscillators of the plurality of oscillators is supplied with power to read the frequency of a reference clock signal output made by the programmable crystal oscillator and so, being uniquely programmed on the basis of the reading of the reference clock signal frequency, to produce an output clock signal frequency specified by the customer's order. The additional features, advantages and objectives of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the present invention will be realized and obtained by means of the apparatus pointed out particularly in the following written description and the appended claims, as well as the accompanying drawings, It will be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description they are exemplary and explanatory, and their intention is to provide a further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated within and constitute part of the specification, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and which together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a programmable crystal oscillator used in the present invention; Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of the programmable crystal oscillator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram showing the details of the frequency multiplier used in the programmable crystal oscillator of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of a global logistics network for the commercialization of the programmable crystal oscillator of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of one of the programming centers that are in the network of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a currently preferred method of the programmable crystal oscillator of Figure 2, within the schedule center of Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates the form of text processing program data used in the programming method of claim 6. The corresponding reference numerals refer to similar parts through the different figures of the drawings.

Best Way to Carry Out the Invention One modality of the programmable crystal oscillator, used in the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 1. This oscillator 20 can be produced in a wide variety of industry-standard sizes and in two basic package configurations, traversed and surface mounted. (SMD), depending on the way in which the oscillator must be mounted in your particular application. The illustrated embodiment has six input / output (I / O) terminals, consisting of a signature timing terminal 21, a dedicated program 22 input terminal, a ground terminal (VSS) 23, a voltage supply terminal (VDD) 24, a signature output terminal 25 and a programming clock pulse input terminal (CLKln) / clock signal output (Fut) 26.

As will be described later in greater detail, the programming data is input through the terminal 22, to a timing controlled by means of clock pulses (CLK_r.) Applied to the terminal 26. When the programmable crystal oscillator 20 If programmed by means of the programming data, it will produce a clock signal output (Fut) at terminal 26 of a frequency programmed according to a target frequency, specified by a client, anywhere within a wide range, by example of 380-KHz at 175 MHz, with an accuracy of ± 100 ppm (parts per million) or better. In percentage terms, 100 ppm is equal to ± 0.01% of the target frequency. According to a feature of the present invention, the crystal oscillator 20 includes a programmable read-only memory (PROM) 50, (Figure 2) within which, the programming data, in the form of -client data , can be entered through the Program 22 terminal, under a timing control imposed by the clock impulses (CLKir.) Applied to terminal 26 by the manufacturer at the time the oscillator is programmed. Hereinafter, the customer data can be read at terminal 25 by means of applying clock pulses to terminal 21. If this signature data feature is issued, the crystal oscillator package configuration, illustrated in FIG. 1, can be reduced to four terminals. The programmable crystal oscillator, illustrated in more detail by the block diagram of Figure 2, includes a glass block 30 electrically connected between the attenuators 31 and 32, in an integrated circuit chip (not shown) to be excited by means of oscillator circuit 34 and thus, generate an oscillatory (resonant) source signal. This oscillator circuit includes an arrangement of resistor, capacitor and inverter components, already known in the art of crystal oscillators and, consequently, need not be described here. The frequency of the source oscillatory signal, which appears at the output of the oscillator circuit 34 as a reference frequency signal Fr6_, is determined largely by the physical characteristics of the crystal block 30. According to a characteristic of the present invention, the Programmable crystal oscillator 20 receives a wide range of source frequencies, for example 5.6396 MHz to 27.3010 MHz. That is, the source frequency may vary from crystal to crystal within this range, without compromising the ability of the crystal oscillator 20 to which is programmed to output the clock signals at any target frequency specified by a customer within, for example, a range of 380 KHz - 175 MHz, with the industry standard accuracy of at least 100 ppm. In fact, the various crystal source frequencies do not need to be known before programming. Referring still to Figure 2, the oscillator circuit 34 passes the reference frequency Frer, which is applied to a frequency multiplier 36, illustrated in more detail in Figure 4. The frequency multiplier exits. clock signals at a frequency Fpn to a frequency divider 38, which divides the frequency Fp_ by a programmable parameter N, received from the programming network 42, to produce clock signals F "t of a programmed frequency, in accordance with the customer's specification The Fut and Fret signals are applied as separate inputs to a multiplexer 40. Under the control of the program control logic of the programming network 42, imposed on the line 43, the multiplexer 40 outputs both clock signals Fo- and Frer through an output buffer 44 and towards terminal 26. As will be described below, it is necessary to bring the Frß clock signals to terminal 26, since this frequency is one of the parameters used to determine, how the oscillator of programmable crystal 20 must be programmed to generate specified clock signals F0 ^.

According to another feature of the present invention, the crystal oscillator 20 further includes a pair of charging circuits 46 and 48 that can be programmed, if necessary, to adjust the capacitive load on the crystal 30 and in turn, pull the source frequency Fre: of the crystal within a range of conductive frequencies for optimal programming of the crystal oscillator 20, as explained in the applicant's related application, cited above. As described in this application, the charging circuits 46 and 48 each include a set of special capacitors that can be programmed into the crystal output circuit in appropriate increments, for example, five picofarads, under the control of the programming network 42, on lines 76 and 86, respectively. This capacity load adjustment is so effective as to pull the source frequency of the crystal up or down, as required, to adjust the frequency of the reference clock signal to an appropriate value for optimum programming of the oscillator. The fixed capacitors 75 and 85 provide a nominal capacitive load for the glass plate 30. As can be seen in Figure 3, the frequency multiplier 36 includes a frequency divider 52 that divides the reference clock frequency Fref between a programmable parameter Q and the resultant clock signal frequency results a phase detector 54 of a loop engaged in its phase (PLL). The loop locked in its phase also includes a charge pump 56, a loop filter 58 and a voltage controlled oscillator 60, which produces the clock signal frequency Fpn going to the frequency divider 38 in Figure 2. This clock signal frequency Fpii is also fed back through a frequency divider 64 to a second input of the phase detector 54. The divider 64 divides the frequency Fpn by a programmable parameter P. Additional details of this loop locked in its phase are provided in the request related to the applicant. As will be described later, the parameters of the frequency divider Q, P and N, if necessary, the settings of the crystal charging circuits 46 and 48, are programmed through the programming circuit 42 by means of the data of programming entered- through the terminal of Program 22. According to another feature of the present invention, the unique qualities of the programmable crystal oscillator 20 lead it to be marketed in accordance with the global logistics network illustrated in Figure. The core of this network is a centralized order processing center, generally indicated as 70. The activities that the order processing center develops, but necessarily carried out in the order processing center, are the prediction of global marketing. of the demands of the crystal oscillators 20, which, in turn, lead to the main production schedule 74, in terms of packet sizes and configurations. The main production schedule leads to the manufacturing resource planning (MRP) 76 resulting in a manufacturing plan 78. In conjunction with the global market prediction 72, the prediction in local markets 80 of the demand of the oscillator can also be performed on the basis of the main production schedule 82. As indicated by the transfer link 83, the main production schedule 74, based on the global marketing prediction 72, is streamlined with the main production schedule 82, based on numerous local market broadcasts 80, to re-plan the manufacturing plan, which in turn results in an additional manufacturing resource planning (MRP) 84 and in a manufacturing plan 86. Since the demand for the crystal oscillator it is extremely dynamic, the manufacturing plan is made repeatedly (planned again). The production volume of the programmable crystal oscillators 20 in the various package configurations, is predicted in the last manufacturing plan 86, which is communicated to a production facility or to several facilities 88 geographically dispersed. The oscillators of glass, already finished except in their programming, verification and marking, are sent, as indicated in 89, to the programming centers 90 located strategically to serve market areas around the world, as indicates in Figure 4, in volumes determined by a consensus between the diffusions of local and global markets. The crystal oscillators 20 are placed in convenient inventories for each of the sites of the programming centers, where they will wait for the orders of the clients. It is important to note that the production of the crystal oscillator and the inventory levels created in the various sites, in the programming centers, is primarily carried out through the forecasting of the marketing and manufacturing planning, not the purchase orders. . As can be seen more fully in Figure 4, customers 92 enter crystal oscillator orders within the global logistics network by communicating their orders to agents (purchasing partners 94) located anywhere in the world, using for example, any of the illustrated communication links. The commands are rotated back to the centralized command-processing center 70, by means of any available communication link 95. Each purchase order is read carefully to know its quantity and package configuration and the existing inventory levels within the various programming centers 90 are verified 96, by means of making a query on communication link 97 towards a control facility of common inventory 98. The order processing center can then determine which of the programming centers is best able to supply the customer's order, taking into account the location of the programming center relative to the location of delivery to the customer and to the level of inventory, for an order of a particularly large volume, two or more programming centers can be designated to fill the order from their existing inventory. Each order that is processed, as indicated in 100, a final calendar 102 is prepared, taking as an additional consideration, the delivery date specified in the purchase order. The calendar is communicated in the form of work order (s) on the communication link 103 to one or more 90 programming centers, designated to supply the purchase order (s) by means of performing the final steps in the manufacture of each crystal oscillator 20. It will be appreciated that a purchase order can specify various oscillator types 20 in various quantities, package configurations, signature data, functionality and in frequencies, etc. with different locations and delivery dates. The order processing center 70 is equipped to immediately store any or all of the variables within a purchase order. Once the order processing center determines that purchase orders can be filled in for all requirements, including delivery dates, confirmations of order acceptance are sent back to agents 94, through of the communications link 105, which sends the conformations to its clients. Once the final production at the programming center has been completed, the crystal oscillators 20 are packaged and processed 106, for shipment to their specified delivery destination per customer. The common inventory control stations 98 monitor the inventory levels in the various programming centers 90 and thus warn the planning of manufacturing resources 84. The manufacturing plan 86 is verified to account for the inventory shortfalls on a basis of Real time and oscillator production 88 is adjusted accordingly to replenish the inventory of the programming center to its appropriate levels, consistent with the actual market forecasts to date. By virtue of the global logistics network illustrated in Figure 4, a typical delivery time for receipt of a purchase order by the customer in the centralized order processing center 70 to send the customer already programmed oscillators 20, from the programming center (s) 90, it may be 72 hours or less. Currently, delivery times on the world market of crystal oscillators are measured in terms of weeks or even months, not hours. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, each programming center is basically configured in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. Programmable crystal oscillators 20, packaged in industry-standard containers (e.g., ESD tubes and battery rails). tape), as received from production facilities 88 (Figure 4), are removed from inventory 108 and loaded into batches of containers 109 - at the entrance 110 of a parts manager 112. It will be appreciated that the mechanical details of the Parts manager 112 varies depending on oscillator size and package configuration. The operation control of the parts manager is performed by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC) 114 available in the market, connected to a compatible PC computer 116 available from the market, by means of a bus 117. A work order 118, generated from a purchase order, is entered into the computer, either directly upon being communicated from the centralized order processing center 70 of Figure 4, is transcribed by an operator from a purchase order received electronically from the center Order processing entered manually through the keyboard (not shown), or by means of a hand-held scanner, which can read a purchase order with bar code. To begin filling a work order, the computer 116 sends a start signal on the bus 117, to the programmable logic controller 114, as well as the number of oscillators ordered per client. In response to the start signal, the programmable logic controller initiates the operation of the parts manager 112, to remove the programmable crystal oscillators 20 from their containers 109, one by one, and deliver them successfully in a test position of a program indicated at 120. Here, the oscillator terminals 21-26 are contracted via the terminals of a programming / checking interface card 122 to power, check and program each programmable crystal oscillator 20. The interface card 122 can serve as a test interface card available on the market at PRA, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America, which is appropriately modified to manage the programming revenue for crystal oscillator, as generated by computer 116. Such an interface card is already designed to administer the oscillator checking procedures. , such as to obtain the output frequencies, the voltage, the current, the impulse waveform and the cycle readings in work. These readings are converted to digital data by means of an analog to digital (A / D) converter 124 and entered on a data bus 125 to the computer 116 to be compared with the customer's specifications and for programming purposes, which will be described. later. When the programming and checking procedures are completed, each oscillator 20 is marked with an identification indication, preferably an inscription made by a laser beam, emitted by a laser beam 126 which is controlled by the computer 116 on the cable 127. Depending on the configuration of the package, marking by laser beam can be effected without moving the programmed oscillator from its programming / testing position 120 or moved to a separate position for laser marking by means of the parts manager. 112. If the computer 116 determines from the test readings that a particular oscillator fails to meet customer specifications, a fault signal is sent to a programmable logic controller 114, which then controls the parts manager 112 to deposit the oscillator that fails in a tray of rejected products 128. If desired, the oscillator that failed can be laser-marked before being deposited in the tray of rejected products. The oscillators that pass the checking procedure proceed to an output 130 of the parts manager 112, where they are repackaged in other containers 131_ standard in the industry. The oscillators are accounted for by means of a programmable logic controller while they are packaged. While the containers are filled, the computer 116 controls a printer 132 on the bus 129, to print the appropriate identification labels, which are applied to the containers 131. The filled containers are packed in cardboard boxes for shipping ( not shown), which are sent to the client. It can be seen that each programming center 90 is automated in such a way that it can be handled by a single human operator. The only manual operations involved are filling the containers 109, filled with the programmable oscillators at the entrance of the parts manager, loading the empty containers 131 at the exit of the parts manager, packing the full containers inside the cardboard boxes for shipping, apply the labels and in some cases, enter the work orders on the computer. The programming / checking procedure carried out by means of programming center 90 in each programmable crystal oscillator 20 when these are placed in their position 120 by means of the part manager 112, with its terminal connected inside the interface card 122 (Figure 5) , is illustrated in the flow diagrams of Figure 6. Interface card 112 of Figure 5, is equipped with a regulated power supply to selectively apply, as controlled by a computer 116, the adjustable supply voltage VDD for the oscillator terminal 24 and the voltage Vss (ground) for the oscillator terminal 23, so that thus, the oscillator is supplied with power. As illustrated in Figure 6, the programming / checking procedure is initialized in step 140 and the programmable crystal oscillator 20 which is electrically connected to the interface card 122 is supplied with power in step 142. Computer 116 conditions the multiplexer 40 through a control logic in a program within the programming network 42, to route the reference timing signals Fref to the Fut / Cir terminal. as shown in Figure 2 and a reading is taken (step 144) of the frequency Fre_, converted to digital data by means of the analog-to-digital converter 124 and fed to the computer 116 (Figure 5). In step 146, the computer determines the optimal values for the divisor parameters P, Q and N by means of calculations based on the formula Ft = Fre; * P / (N * Q), where Fc = target frequency specified by the client, and Fre? = reading in step 144. As indicated in the application cited by the applicant, it is an advantage that the Q parameter of the divider 52 is programmed to reach a condition in which the timing signal frequency Frer / Q applied to an input of the phase detector 54 in the loop circuit engaged in its phase of Figure 3, is within the range of 32 KHz - 50 KHz (preferably 42,395 KHz to 43,059 KHz). This means that the parameter P of the divider 64 must be programmed to a value, in such a way that the timing frequency signal Fpx./P returns via counter 64 to another input of the phase detector 54, equal to Xa, Fret / Q timing signal frequency to achieve the operation of the hooked circuit in its stable phase. However, the programmable P value and the value of N for the divisor 38 (Figure 2) are factors to achieve the target sequence specified by the client, as shown in the previous equation.

In accordance with industry practice, each Fout output frequency specified by a purchase order is declared in terms of an objective frequency Fz plus / minus an acceptable precision expressed in ppm (parts per million). The industry standard frequency accuracy for glass oscillators is ppm, which is ± 0.01% of the target frequency Ft. While the range of each of the programmable parameters Q, P and N is provided in the divisors to achieve a frequency Fref / Q within the preferred range of 42,395-43,059 KHz and to reach a frequency F0ut close to the frequency FL of the client, the programmed Fout signal could not reach the customer specification in parts per million, since P, Q and N are typically integral numbers and the P / QN factor therefore could not produce the specified output frequency accuracy. Accordingly, the objective provided by the computer in step 146 is to determine an optimal combination of the values of P, Q and N that meet or reject the specification in ppm of the client. Thus, the computer calculates a Fut frequency using the predetermined optimal combination of the P, Q and N values according to the previous equation and thus, determines in step 148 if the calculated frequency Fout satisfies the specification in ppm of the client. If so, the computer then executes step 150. In this step, the bits of programming data representing the optimal parameters of the determined divider P, Q and N are gathered by the computer into a programming text in step 150. An example of this programming text is illustrated in Figure 7. This programming text is entered through the Program terminal of the record and is stored in the PROM memory of the programming network 42 (Figure 2) in step 152. This step is completed by moving the programming text in the programming network register through the Program 22 terminal, by applying the appropriate number of travel pulses to the Foat / C terminal? n 26. Now that the programming text that has been entered into the programming network register to complete step 152, it is then stored in non-volatile form in the programmable read-only memory (PROM) of the programming network 42 of Figure 2. This PROM memory can take the form of any configuration of fuses, which are selectively burned under the control of the programming text maintained in the shift register and the control logic of program included in the programming network 42. At this point, and in accordance with the current embodiment of the present invention, the Program terminal remains low and the VDL voltage is raised to a high level, while the clock are applied to the terminal Fo t, C? n. In response to successive clock pulses, the data bits of the programming text that reside in the movement register are stored in serial form in the PROM memory, either when burning or when the fuses are not burned. With the step termination 152, the oscillator 20 can be programmed to generate the clock signals from its FoutCm terminal of a frequency that is in accordance with the client's specifications with respect to the target frequency Ft and the ppm. In the next step 154, the data specified by the client is assembled in a signature text. The signature data text includes any information that the client wishes to store in the PROM 50 memory and which may be unique to each programmable crystal oscillator 20, such as an automatically incremented identification number / traveler information for problem resolution and for QC tracking purposes, etc. The assembled signature text is stored (step 156) in the same manner as the frequency programming text of step 152, ie, entered bit by bit in the programming network register through the Program 22 terminal by mean of the CLKir clock pulses. applied to the terminal 26 and then timed out of this register within the PROM memory 50 by means of an additional chain of clock pulses CLKin, generated by computer 116.

Now that the signature and programming texts have been stored in their respective PROM memories, which in practice can be separate areas of the same PROM memory, the next step is to verify that the crystal oscillator 20 now already programmed, generates a Output frequency in accordance with the ppm specified by the customer. The multiplexer 40 of Figure 2 is conditioned to route the output of the divider 38 to the terminal FO and Clr, 26 and the programmed frequency of the output clock signals of the oscillator Fcut and other parameters are read in step 158. Other parameters Such include the voltage, the current, the impulse waveform and the duty cycle. Once the output clock signals are read, the programmed crystal oscillator 20 is devoid of power (step 160). If the computer determines in step 162 that the ppm of the programmed oscillator clock signal and that the parameters certainly satisfy the customer's specifications in all respects, the crystal oscillator 20 is accepted (step 164), where it is marked. with laser and then packaged by means of the part manager 112 of Figure 5, inside a container 131 in the output terminal of the parts manager. If this is not the case, the oscillator is rejected (step 166), where it is directed towards the rejected product tray 128 by means of the parts manager. As soon as the reading is taken in step 160, the programmed oscillator is replaced by the part manager with the next programmable oscillator on the line. If in step 148 it is determined that the specification in ppm of the client does not meet the frequency calculation F0"t of the computer in step 146, then it is necessary to pull the frequency of the crystal oscillator, (and also the frequency Fref) , as required, in an upward or downward direction by means of the appropriate programming of the load circuits 46 and 48 of Figure 2. At this point, the computer executes step 170, indicated in Figure 6. According to With this step, the computer determines, by reference to the verification table (LUT), what setting of available charge circuit can be effective to pull the Freir frequency (and consequently the Frer / Q frequency) to a reset value that will fine tune the frequency Fou- to a frequency that satisfies the specification in ppm of the client. A description of how the programmed settings of the charging circuits 46 and 48 are made, is provided in the request related to the applicant. Step 146 of calculating the P values as Q and N is then repeated for the prediction of the frequency Fref pulled (adjusted) and the recalculated Fout frequency is checked in step 148, contrary to the specification in ppm of the client. If the specification is not met, the sequence of steps 150, 152, 154, etc., described above is then executed. However, in step 150, the programming bits for pulling the crystal 117, to program the charging circuits 46 and 48, are assembled into the programming text illustrated in Figure 7. Yes the characteristics of the glass blocks 30 they have not been tested beforehand and thus, they are of an unknown quality, so you can not predict the effects of the pull in the programmed settings of the crystal charging circuits, which will have frequency Fref. In this case, if step 148 is not satisfied with the ppm, it may be desirable to perform the subroutine 173 where, step 174 is executed in the same manner as step 170, to determine the degree to which the frequency Fre? It must be pulled. The computer that calculates then in step 176, the optimal parameters P, Q and N passed in the predicted Fref frequency, in as much as "is pulled (adjusted) and assemble a programming check text (step 178) including the data bits of the P values as Q and N determined in step 176 and the crystal pulls the data bits determined in step 174. This programming check text is entered in step 180 and the Fout frequency is read (step 182) and verified to see if it meets the client's ppm specification in step 184. Yes it does, the computer converts the assembled programming check text to step 178 into an assembled programming text to step 150. Steps 152, 154, 156, etc., are then executed, as described above. If step 184 determines that the specification in ppm of the client is not met, step 174 is performed a to determine the different bits of data that "pull" the crystal, which modify the charging circuit setting and calculate the optimal values of P, Q and N (step 176). A new programming check text is assembled in 178, entered in step 180, the Fut frequency is read (step 182) and it is verified against the specification in ppm of the client in step 184. This subroutine can be repeated several times until the Fout frequency meets the client specification (step 184). Only then will a programming text stored in the PROM memory be found by the finished execution of step 156. From the above description it can be seen that the present invention provides a dramatically improved method for marketing the crystal oscillators to the specification of the client. Because crystal oscillators are programmable in frequency, the manufacture of crystals can be economized and unified, since the need to process glass plates to oscillate at specific frequencies is relaxed, in that only oscillating at frequencies is needed with a wide range of frequencies. Accordingly, the manufacturing steps, such as pickling, thin and intermediate coating and selective plating of glass plates at specified frequencies, verification and classification, can be reduced in length, be simplified or even eliminated. In fact, by virtue of the present invention, crystal oscillators manufactured to the customer's specification, before their cancellation or delivery to the customer or which are not subsequently necessary, due to market conditions, do not need to be completely filed. , since many cases, at least the crystals can be manufactured again as programmable crystal oscillators 20. In terms of customer benefits, a main advantage of the present invention is the elimination of the long delivery time. Customers who have to wait for long delivery times may be forced to broadcast orders among multiple manufacturers, suffer from delays in the introduction of new products, suffer from inability to meet product demand and / or resort to high inventory backups. in the sites manufacturing or sales sites. If the introduction of a new product is delayed or abandoned, or market acceptance fails to materialize, customers may be subject to charges for contractual penalties, supply new calendars or order cancellations. In contrast, the short delivery times that can be fulfilled by the present invention allow customers to adjust their production to the actual demand of the market, take advantage of "just in time" inventory control and reduce manufacturers' responsibility for part of the material, the work in process and the goods before delivery. It will be immediately appreciated by those skilled in the art of electronics, that although the above description has been directed to programmable crystal oscillators, the principles of the present invention can be used in the manufacture and distribution of other types of electronically programmable devices, such as programmable logic configurations, programmable gate configurations, programmable timing generators, programmable analog configurations, etc. Also, the present invention is clearly applicable to programmable crystal oscillators that are temperature compensated (TCXO) and voltage controlled (VCXO). While the present invention has been described in the context of using a standard microprocessor-type crystal plate ranging from 5.6396 MHz to 27.3010 MHz, as denoted above, it will be understood that the present invention can be made using a standard watch crystal in the industry, mass produced to oscillate at 32,768 KHz. In this castx, the looped frequency in its low phase can be achieved without the need of the frequency divider 52 within the frequency multiplier 36 of Figure 4. The crystal block 30 can then, in effect, be coupled in direct relation to the loop circuit engaged in its phase. Since clock crystals, by virtue of their mass production, are significantly less expensive than microprocessor type crystals, additional savings can be obtained in the production of programmable crystal oscillators, in accordance with the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the programmable crystal oscillator of the present invention and in the construction of this programmable crystal oscillator, without departing from the field or essence of the present invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention discovered herein. It is the intention that the specification and the examples be considered as exemplary only, with a certain field and essence of the invention being indicated by means of the following claims. It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known by the requested, to carry out the present invention, is that which is clear from the present, discovering the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (46)

1. A method for the manufacture and distribution of crystal oscillators in response to the demand of a client, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: manufacture a supply of generic programmable crystal oscillators at the production site; 10 distributing the supply of the generic programmable crystal oscillators among a plurality of glass oscillator programming centers in geographically diverse sites linked to a command processing center 15 centralized by means of a communications network to maintain an inventory of generic programmable crystal oscillators at each programming center site; accept customer orders for oscillators 20 glass in the order processing centers; process each customer order in the order processing center to identify the specifications of each customer order already processed, the specifications including the number of oscillators the frequency of output and the date and destination of delivery; communicate customer orders in the form of work orders on the communications network from the order processing center to 10 the selected programming centers, based on the ability to comply with the specifications of the clients' orders; Y Each programming center, in response to the reception of a work order, made the 15 steps from: withdraw from the inventory a sufficient number of generic programmable crystal oscillators, such as to satisfy the number of oscillators specified in the work order 20 received; program each of the generic programmable crystal oscillators to generate the output frequency specified by the received work order; and send the programmed crystal oscillators to the delivery destination specified by the received work order.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: maintain communication between the order processing center and the programming centers to determine the inventory levels at each programming center site; 10 to initiate by means of the order processing center the manufacture of a replenishment of the generic programmable crystal oscillators; and send the replenishment of oscillators to 15 generic programmable crystal towards the programming center sites, in sufficient quantities to replenish inventory levels.

3. The method according to claim 2, 20 characterized in that the order processing step further includes the steps of: develop schedules for the execution of work orders in the programming centers; and communicate the calendars to the programming centers in such a way that the received work orders are executed in each programming center in an appropriate sequence, in order to comply with the delivery dates specified by the work orders received.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: schedule the manufacturing schedule 10 generic programmable crystal oscillators at the production site, anticipating the demand of commercially available glass oscillators; Y adjust the inventory levels of the generic programmable oscillators in each of 15 programming center sites, in anticipation of the demand for the commercially available crystal oscillator.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the programming centers 20 perform the additional steps of: supply power to each generic programmable crystal oscillator; Y read the reference frequency output made by each programmable crystal oscillator 25 generic power supply, where the programming step is performed in a unique manner, based on the reading of the reference frequency, such as to program the generic programmable crystal oscillator to generate the output frequency specified by the order of work received.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the programming centers carry out the additional steps of: 10 verify each programmed crystal oscillator to determine an output frequency of the signal generated by it; Y reject the programmed oscillators when the output frequency fails to comply with the 15 output frequency specified by the received work order.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the verification step also includes evaluating the characteristics of the 20 generated signal, such characteristics including in addition to the output frequency, to at least the pulse waveform, to the duty cycle, the current and the voltage.

8. The method according to claim 6, 25 characterized in that the programming centers perform the additional step of dialing each programmed oscillator with an identification indication.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the marking step includes inscribing the indication of each programmed oscillator using a beam of laser beam.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the steps carried out by the 10 programming centers are executed in an automated way.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: store crystal oscillators 15 generic programmable in each programming center site in a serial order, within the first containers that are received from the production site; load a plurality of the first 20 containers in an entrance of a work cell; loading a plurality of the second empty containers in an output of the work cell; automatically feed the generic programmable oscillators serially from the first containers to one or more positions in the work cell, where the steps carried out by the programming centers are executed; Y Automatically feed oscillators serially programmed into the second containers to be sent to their delivery destinations.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the programming centers perform the additional step of printing labels to be applied to each second container.

13. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the programming centers carry out the additional step of storing in each programmed oscillator, customer data specified in the received work orders.

14. A method for the manufacture of glass oscillators to various customer specifications, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: produce a supply of programmable crystal oscillators; maintain an inventory of programmable crystal oscillators; withdrawing from the inventory a plurality of programmable crystal oscillators, sufficient to satisfy a number of crystal oscillators specified in a customer order; supply energy to each of the programmable crystal oscillators; read the reference frequency output of each programmable crystal oscillator supplied by power; Y 10 program each programmable crystal oscillator based on the reading of the reference frequency, in such a way that programmed crystal oscillators are produced which output a clock frequency specified by the 15 customer order.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises the step of checking each programmed crystal oscillator to verify that the clock frequency of the 20 these be according to the specified frequency.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises the step of evaluating one or more characteristics of the clock frequency, output by each oscillator of 25 programmed crystal, the characteristics including at least the waveform of the signal, the pulse duty cycle, the current or the voltage.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises the step of storing customer data that can be withdrawn, in each programmed crystal oscillator.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it also includes the step of marking each programmed crystal oscillator with a 10 identification indication.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the marking step includes inscribing the indication in each programmed crystal oscillator, using a beam of lightning 15 laser.

20. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the programmable crystal oscillators include, respectively, crystals that generate reference clock signals of 20 frequencies that differ randomly, first respective divisors to divide the frequencies of the reference clock signal between the programmable Q parameters, loops engaged in their respective phase including 25 some inputs connected to the first dividers and a few second divisors to divide the loop frequency by a programmable P parameters, and the respective third dividers to divide the output frequency of loop locked in its phase between programmable N parameters to produce the frequency of clock signal, the programming step of each programmable crystal oscillator including the steps of: calculate a set of values for the 10 parameters Q, P and N based on an equation Ft = Fre; * P / (Q * N), where Ft = the clock frequency specified by the customer and Fret- is the reference frequency read; 15 assemble the programming data including the set of the calculated Q, P and N parameters; and store the programming data in the programmable crystal oscillator to program the 20 first, second and third divisors to divide between the parameters Q, P and N calculated.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that calculation step, calculate set of the values Q, P and N of "such that: 25 32 KHz < Fref / Q = 50 KHz; and Fout = the frequency closest to the target frequency specified by the customer.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that each programmable crystal oscillator further includes a programmable charging circfor adjusting the reference frequency and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: determining, on the basis of the reference frequency value obtained in the reading step, the data bits appropriate for the programming-of the charging circto achieve a value of the adjusted reference clock frequency, which allows fine tuning of FJ - within a precision range of the target frequency specified by client, and store the data bits in the programmable crystal oscillator to program the charging circ

23. A method for programming crystal oscillators, each including a crystal that generates a reference frequency within an acceptable range of frequencies and a plurality of programmable frequency dividers electrically coupled to the crystal to operate arithmetically on the reference frequency, in such a way that an output frequency occurs within a specified frequency range, the method characterized in that with respect to each crystal oscillator, it comprises the steps of: read the reference frequency; determine a combination of respective division parameters for the frequency dividers based on the frequency reading 10 reference; calculate the output frequency based on the reading of the reference frequency and the combination of determined divisor parameters; compare the output frequency calculated with 15 the specified frequency range; store the combination of - divider parameters determined in the crystal oscillator, if the calculated output frequency is within the specified frequency range, where 20 to program the frequency dividers so that the crystal oscillator generates an output frequency within the specified range.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that it also includes the step of reading 25 the generated output frequency to verify that it falls within the specified frequency range.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that each crystal oscillator includes a programmable crystal charging circuit for adjusting the reference frequency, the method further comprising the steps of: determine a load circuit parameter 10 which will produce a set reference frequency, if the calculated output frequency falls outside the specified frequency range; recalculate the output frequency based on the adjusted reference frequency of the 15 combination of determined divisor parameters; Y compare again the calculated output frequency again, with the specified frequency range, where the step of calculating again - is 20 performed based on the set reference frequency and the different combination of determined divisor parameters.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that it also includes the step of reading the generated output frequency to verify that it falls within the specified frequency range.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that it also includes the step of determining a different combination of respective divisor parameters based on the set reference frequency, where, the step of recalculating is done based on the reference frequency 10 adjusted and to the different combination of determined divisor parameters.

28. A method for programmed crystal oscillators, each one including a crystal that generates a reference frequency within a range of 15 acceptable frequencies and a plurality of programmable frequency dividers electrically connected in circuit with the oscillator to perform arithmetic operations based on the reference frequency, in such a way that 20 program the oscillator to generate an output frequency within a specified frequency range, the method characterized in that it comprises, with respect to each crystal oscillator, the steps of: reading the reference frequency; determining, based on the reading of the reference frequency, a combination of respective divisor parameters for the frequency dividers; store the combination of divider parameters determined in the crystal oscillator to program the frequency dividers, such that the crystal oscillator generates an output frequency; 10 read the output frequency generated; and compare the reading of the output frequency with the specified frequency range.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that it also includes the steps of: 15 determining a parameter of the programmable load circuit connected to the crystal to adjust the reference frequency, if the reading of the output frequency falls outside the specified frequency range; 20 store the determined load circuit parameter and the combination of divider parameters determined in the crystal oscillator.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that, if the new frequency of If the output falls outside the specified frequency range, the method also includes the steps of: again determining a different load circuit parameter to adjust back to the reference frequency; determining again a different combination of respective divisor parameters; enter a circuit parameter again, load differently and determined again, and 10 again determine a different combination of divisor parameters within a register, to temporarily program the load circuit and the frequency dividers accordingly, so that the crystal oscillators generate a 15 new and adjusted output frequency; read the adjusted new output frequency; compare again the new adjusted output frequency with the specified frequency range; and reiterate the steps of re-determining, re-entering, re-reading and re-comparing in a sequence in a limited number of times until the generated output frequency falls within the specified frequency range, before permanently programming the circuit of load and the frequency dividers.

31. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the determination step calculates values for the combination of the divisor parameters that can generate the output frequency within the specified frequency range and a division of the reference frequency read applied to a loop 10 its phase inside the crystal oscillator that falls within a narrow range and low frequency that leads to stabilize the operation of the loop hooked its phase.

32. A network for the distribution of the oscillator 15 glass in response to the demand of the client, is characterized because it comprises: a centralized order processing center to receive orders from. customers for crystal oscillators, each order of 20 client specifying an amount of crystal oscillator and an output frequency within an acceptable range; Y at least one programming center to receive the orders of the clients on a communications link, the programming center including: an inventory of programmable crystal oscillators, a part manager to power serially programmable crystal oscillators taken from the inventory in a check / programming position, a computer that can connect 10 electrically to each programmable crystal oscillator as long as it is in the check / programming position to receive a reading of a variable reference frequency generated by each crystal oscillator 15 programmable connected, the computer being programmed to compute unique frequency divider parameters, based on each reference frequency reading, effective for programming each connected programmable crystal oscillator 20 to generate an output frequency within a specified frequency range, enter the computed frequency divider parameters within a program memory in each programmable crystal oscillator 25 connected to produce programmed crystal oscillators and check an output frequency generated by each programmed crystal oscillator to verify that the tested output frequency falls within the specified frequency range.

33. The network according to claim 32, characterized in that the programming center also includes a means checked by the computer to mark each crystal oscillator 10 programmed with an identification indication.

34. The network according to claim 32, characterized in that it includes the plurality of geographically dispersed programming centers.

35. The network according to claim 33, 15 characterized in that the programming center includes a printer for printing labels, to be applied to containers filled with the programmed crystal oscillators.

36. The network according to claim 32, 20 characterized in that the computer is further programmed to determine a parameter for a programmable crystal charging circuit, effective to adjust the reference frequency so as to pull the output frequency into the In the specified frequency range, enter the charge circuit parameter determined within the program memory to program the load circuit in such a way that the set reference frequency is obtained.

37. The network according to claim 32, characterized in that the computer, until the reception of the customer data, enters the client data in a register in each programmed crystal oscillator, before withdrawing from its 10 check / programming position by the parts manager.

38. A programming center for programming crystal oscillators to generate an output frequency within a frequency range 15 specified, characterized in that it comprises: an inventory of programmable crystal oscillators, a parts manager to feed in a way would be the crystal oscillators taken in their check position 20 a schedule; of itself a computer that can electrically connect each crystal oscillator that remains in the check / programming position to receive a reading 25 of a reference frequency generated by each connected crystal oscillator, the computer being programmed to determine the unique frequency dividers parameters, based on each reference frequency reading, effective to program each connected crystal oscillator to generate an output frequency Within the specified frequency range, enter the frequency divider parameters computed into a program memory in each oscillator of 10 connected crystal, to produce programmed crystal oscillators and check an output frequency generated by each programmed crystal oscillator, to verify that the tested output frequency falls within the range of 15 frequencies specified.

39. The programming center according to claim 38, characterized in that it includes means controlled by the computer to mark each of the crystal oscillators 20 programmed with an identification indication.

40. The programming center according to claim 39, characterized in that it includes a printer to print labels to be applied to full shipping containers 25 with the crystal oscillators programmed.

41. The programming center according to claim 38, characterized in that the computer is further programmed to determine a parameter for a programmable crystal charging circuit in each effective crystal oscillator to pull the reference frequency in a manner to adjust the frequency of the output into the specified frequency range enter the load circuit parameter 10 determined within the memory of the program to program the charging circuit, in such a way that the reference frequency pulled is obtained.

42. The programming center according to claim 38, characterized in that the 15 computer, until the reception of the customer's data, enter the customer data in a register in each programmed crystal oscillator before withdrawing from its check / programming position by means of the 20 parts manager.

43. The programming center according to claim 38, characterized in that the crystal oscillators respectively include crystals that generate the frequencies of Reference of randomly differing frequencies, respective first dividers for dividing the reference frequencies between the programmable Q parameters, loops engaged in their respective phase including inputs connected to the first dividers and second dividers to divide the loop frequency by programmable P parameters, and respective third dividers to divide the output frequency of loop locked in its phase between programmable N parameters, to produce the 10 output frequencies, where: the computer determines the frequency divider parameters by calculating a set of values for the Q, P, and N parameters based on an equation 15 Fou = Fref * P / (Q * N), where Fc, r = the frequency of the clock signal specified by the client and Frer is the reference frequency read; assemble the programming data including 20 to the set of the Q, P and N parameters calculated; and store the programming data in the programmable crystal oscillator to program the first, second and third divisors for 25 divide between the calculated Q, P and N parameters.

44. The programming center according to claim 43, characterized in that the computer calculates a set of the values Q, P and N in such a way that: 32 KHz < Frßl / Q < 50 KHz; and F0u = the frequency closest to the target frequency specified by client.

45. The programming center according to claim 43, characterized in that each crystal oscillator also includes a circuit 10 programmable load to adjust the reference clock signal frequency and where the computer determines, based on the reading of the reference frequency, the appropriate data bits to program the charging circuit to 15 obtain a set reference clock frequency value that facilitates fine tuning of Fout within the specified frequency range and store the said data within the program memory to program the 20 charging circuit.

46. A method for manufacturing and distributing electronically programmable devices in response to customer demand, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: manufacturing a supply of programmable devices at the production site; distributing the provision of the programmable devices among a plurality of programming centers in geographically diverse sites linked to an order processing center by means of a communications network to maintain an inventory of the programmable devices in each programming center site; 10 accept customer orders for devices in the order processing centers; process each customer order in the order processing center to identify the 15 specifications of each order already processed client, the specifications including the programming data and the date and destination of delivery; communicate customer orders as a way of 20 work orders on the communications network from the order processing center to the selected programming centers based on the ability to comply with the specifications of the clients' orders; and each programming center, in response to the receipt of a work order, perform the steps of: Remove from the inventory a number of programmable devices sufficient to satisfy the number of devices specified in the received work order; program electronically to each of the programmable devices according to the 10 programming data specified in the received work order; Y send the programmed devices to the delivery destination specified by the received work order.